The 5 Best Fried Chicken Restaurants in NYC

Crunchy, salty, juicy fried chicken has been dominating the New York dining scene since the great fried chicken craze of 2009. Four years later, the city seems to have a fried chicken option on every corner. But there are spots serving decent fried chicken, and then there are institutions doling out truly extraordinary fried birds—and we’re only concerned about the latter category, because life’s too short for mediocre chicken.

May we suggest a Harlem joint where the chef learned his chicken pan-frying technique on a visit to North Carolina? How about a chain that serves addictive Korean fried chicken with crisp, paper-thin skin? No matter what your budget and style is, one of these fried chicken meccas is sure to hit the spot.

Here are our five favorite spots to feast on fried chicken in NYC.

Peaches HotHouse

Address and phone: 415 Tompkins Ave, Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn (718-483-9111)
Website:peacheshothouse.comGood for: Burning your face off
In a city overrun with fried chicken options, Peaches brings something unique to the table: the regional speciality hot chicken, inspired by Nashville's famed Prince's Hot Chicken Shack. The extra-moist bird is seasoned both before and after frying with a top-secret spice blend that includes two of the world's hottest chiles, and it's served bone in on a thick slice of white bread. The outer shell is as crunchy and flavor-packed as Flamin' Hot Cheetos, only it's much more delicious and it will make you cry tears of pain-induced joy. Order it extra hot if you dare; ain't no half-steppin' in Bed-Stuy.
Best sides: Watermelon salad, fried green tomatoes, the Full Jim Cade burger

Bobwhite Lunch & Supper Counter

Address and phone: 94 Ave. C (212-228-2972)
Website:bobwhitecounter.comGood for: A fried chicken feast with friends
The East Village has its fair share of clucked-about fried chicken—from the Redhead's beloved version, to those late-night spreads at Momofuku—but we like the easygoing charm of Bobwhite. The key to the superb poultry here is simplicity: Virginia native Keedick Coulter marinates his bird in sweet tea then pops it into the pressure cooker to achieve light, crackling golden crust and impeccably moist, slightly sweet flesh within. Save room for homey banana pudding, then walk next door to ABC Beer Co. for a few pints.
Also order: Mac and cheese, cheddar grits, grilled pimento cheese sandwich, Brunswick stew, banana pudding

Charles' Country Pan Fried Chicken

Address and phone: 2839 Frederick Douglass Blvd #1 (212-281-1800)
Good for: A soul food feast in Harlem
Charles Gabriel started serving soul food in Harlem from a truck over two decades ago, employing a chicken-frying technique he learned in the countryside near Charlotte, NC. When Charles pan-fries chicken, he stays by the stove and turns the poultry repeatedly; he also adds seasoning in the dry rub, egg wash, and flour dredge. This makes for a crisp crust encasing meat that is super juicy but never greasy. Head uptown to his-hole-in-the-wall chicken joint for the all-you-can-eat buffet ($10.99 at lunch before 4 p.m; $13.99 at dinner and on weekends), and load your plate up with smoky collards, baked mac and cheese, and NYC's best banana pudding.
Also order: Mac and cheese, okra succotash, collard greens, sweet potatoes, banana pudding

BonChon Chicken

Address and phone: 325 5th Ave * 207 W 38th St * 104 John St * 45-37 Bell Blvd, Bayside, Queens
Website:bonchon.comGood for: Korea's answer to Buffalo wings
Koreans have a way with fried chicken, no doubt. The skin on these chicken wings is extra-thin and crisp, delivering a saisfying crunch not dissimilar to when you bite into a good criossant. When you step up to the counter at Bon Chon, first select whether you want wings, drumsticks, or boneless strips. Then, you must decide if you want your wings brushed with sweetish soy garlic or incendiary hot sauce. Both are extraordinary. These wings are so addictive, we sometimes order a second box once we've finished the first. Are we proud of this fact? Most definitely.
Also order: Cubed pickled daikon radish (included), pot stickers

The Commodore

Address and phone: 366 Metropolitan Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-218-7632)
Good for: Chicken and biscuits paired with kitschy retro cocktails
The Commodore's fried chicken plate features three juicy, crisp-skinned thighs, served alongside fresh biscuits, honey butter, and hot sauce. The man responsible for this superb chicken is Georgia native Stephen Tanner, who founded the original Pies-N-Thighs, and cooked at Diner and Egg before that. At $12, the fried chicken meal is an inexpensive and ideal bar snack to line your stomach before you consume multiple piña coladas (or frozen mojitos, if that's more your thing).
Also order: Hot fish sandwich, kale Caesar salad, cheeseburger, biscuits with honey butter

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